Cambridge English Qualifications registration centre for the British Council
CAMBRIDGE ASSESSMENT ENGLISH designed to assess the English language skills of children, the Cambridge English: Young Learners (YLE) qualifications are available at three assessment levels (Pre A1 Starters, A1 Movers and A2 Flyers) that encourage children (aged between 4 to 12) to work through by monitoring their progress.
Starters (Pre A1)
Cambridge Starters is the first of three Cambridge English Young Learners exams (YLE) for children between the ages of six and twelve. These qualifications will encourage your child to learn English from an early age and create a positive attitude to language qualifications.
Eligibility
Children who take the qualification are usually between the ages of six and eight, and are studying Grade 1 to Grade 3 in Sri Lanka.
In the qualification your child will need to:
recognize colours in English
answer very simple questions about themselves
write short one-word answers to basic questions.
Significance
There is no pass or fail for the qualification. Your child can get a maximum of five shields for each part of the qualification. The number of shields they are awarded for each part will be shown on their certificate. They will receive the certificate about six to eight weeks after taking the qualification.
- Reading and Writing – 20 minutes (Maximum five shields)
- Listening - 20 minutes (Maximum five shields)
- Speaking - 3-5 minutes (Maximum five shields)
Movers (A1)
Cambridge Movers is the second of three Cambridge English: Young Learners (YLE) qualifications for children between the ages of six and twelve. This qualification will encourage your child to communicate in real-life situations in English and create a positive attitude to language qualifications.
Level of qualification: Beginner = A1 on the Common European Framework
Eligibility
Children who take the qualification are usually between the ages of eight and ten, and are studying Grade 3 to Grade 5 in Sri Lanka.
In the qualification your child will need to:
- understand basic instructions in English
- fill out a simple form or respond to questions about themselves
- answer questions and write down simple facts (such as days of the week, times or names) they hear or read in a children’s story.
Significance
There is no pass or fail for the qualification. Your child can get a maximum of five shields for each part of the qualification. The number of shields they are awarded for each part will be shown on their certificate. They will receive the certificate about six to eight weeks after taking the qualification.
- Reading and Writing – 30 minutes (Maximum five shields)
- Listening - 25 minutes (Maximum five shields)
- Speaking - 5-7 minutes (Maximum five shields)
Flyers (A2)
Cambridge Flyers is the highest of three Cambridge English: Young Learners (YLE) qualifications for children between the ages of four and twelve. This qualification shows that your child can understand simple English in everyday situations and can communicate in basic English.
Level of qualification: Elementary = A2 on the Common European Framework
Eligibility
Children who take the qualification are usually between the ages of ten and twelve, and are studying grade 5 to grade 6 in Sri Lanka.
In the qualification your child will need to:
- explain the differences between two stories or pictures
- write or tell a short story in English
- ask questions and use the past tense
Significance
There is no pass or fail for the qualification. Your child can get a maximum of five shields for each part of the qualification. The number of shields they are awarded for each part will be shown on their certificate. They will receive their certificate about six to eight after taking the qualification.
- Reading and Writing – 40 minutes (Maximum five shields)
- Listening - 25 minutes (Maximum five shields)
- Speaking - 7-9 minutes (Maximum five shields)
Cambridge Key
Cambridge Key, also known as the Key English Test (KET), is the lowest level General English exam in the Cambridge English range. It shows that you can communicate in basic English in everyday situations.
Cambridge English: A2 Key for Schools (KETfS) is at the same level as Cambridge English: A2 Key and leads to exactly the same internationally accepted certificate. The only difference is that the exam content is targeted at the interests and experiences of schoolchildren.
Level of qualification: Elementary = A2 on the Common European Framework
Eligibility
You should take the KET if you have done more than 250 hours of study or practice and can speak, write and understand basic English. This exam is the first step in building your English language skills for work or study in the future.
To take the exam you should be able to:
- ask and answer questions about yourself and others
- understand announcements and instructions when people speak slowly and clearly
- tell people what you think about something you read or hear
Significance
There are three parts to the exam. You do the Reading and Writing and the Listening papers on the same day. You may need to return to do the Speaking on a different day. You do the Speaking with two examiners and one other exam candidate.
- Reading and Writing – 1 hour and 10 minutes (50%)
- Listening - 30 minutes (25%)
- Speaking - 8-10 minutes (25%)
Cambridge Preliminary
Cambridge Preliminary is also known as the Preliminary English Test (PET) and Preliminary English Test for Schools (PETfS). This exam shows that you can communicate in English in practical, everyday situations. It will give you a good foundation if you want to study for a professional English qualification.
Level of qualification: Intermediate = B1 on the Common European Framework.
Eligibility
Studying for the PET exam will improve your English so that you can communicate when travelling or dealing with English speakers for work.
To take the exam you should be able to:
- express your likes and dislikes, and discuss them with others
- understand spoken and written announcements and instructions
- write a personal letter or take notes from a meeting or discussion
Significance
There are three parts to the exam. You do the Reading and Writing and the Listening papers on the same day. You may need to return to do the Speaking on a different day. You do the Speaking with two examiners and one other exam candidate.
- Reading and Writing – 1 hour and 30 minutes (50%)
- Listening - 30 minutes (25%)
- Speaking - 10-12 minutes (25%)
Cambridge First
Cambridge First is also called the First Certificate in English (FCE) and First Certificate in English for Schools (FCEfS). This general English qualification proves that you can speak and write English well enough to work or study in an English-speaking environment.
Level of qualification: Upper intermediate = B2 on the Common European Framework
Eligibility
You should study for the FCE if you want to work in an English-speaking business, live in an English-speaking country or study a foundation-level or pre-university course taught in English.
To take the exam you should be able to:
- Write short reports and emails
- Explain an idea or have a detailed discussion in English
- Understand general English on TV and in newspapers
Significance
There are five parts to the FCE exam. You will complete papers Reading, Writing, Use of English and Listening on the same day. The Speaking may be on a different day. You do the speaking with two examiners and one other candidate.
- Reading and Use of English – 1 hour and 15 minutes (40%)
- Writing - 1 hour and 20 minutes (20%)
- Listening - 40 minutes (20%)
- Speaking - 14 minutes (20%)
